Sam Ruland

2 days ago | inquirer.com | Sam Ruland

There’s nothing quite like watching a movie under the stars — especially in Philly. From lawn chairs on the Schuylkill Banks to picnic blankets at Clark Park, outdoor movie nights are back across the city this summer, with more screenings and more neighborhoods participating than ever before. You’ll find rooftop viewings with skyline backdrops, block party-style events with lawn games and bounce houses, and cultural programming showcasing new voices in film — all for free.

5 days ago | inquirer.com | Sam Ruland

What started as a small block gathering with a $100 grant is now turning 50. The Odunde Festival — one of the largest African American street festivals in the country — returns to South Philadelphia on Sunday, June 8, to mark its milestone year with a daylong celebration of African culture, community, and tradition.

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Sam Ruland

From Ocean City to Wildwood — and even here in Philly — there are rules about when unaccompanied teens need to be off the streets. In recent years, Jersey Shore towns have gotten stricter about late-night teen behavior, enacting curfews, backpack bans, and beach closures in response to large crowds and complaints from local businesses. Some towns even fine parents — or threaten arrest — when teens break the rules.

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Sam Ruland |Hira Qureshi

Philly is in for a packed weekend. From the Roots Picnic in Fairmount Park to the Pride March and Festival in Center City — plus the Philly Run Fest and Bike-A-Thon — thousands of people will be out and about for major events across the city. On Saturday, May 31, the two-day Roots Picnic kicks off at the Mann Center, with road closures already in place for setup and crowd control.

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Sam Ruland

After The Inquirer published a guide to the best trails around Philly, we asked for your favorite spots to get outside — and you delivered. From a hidden Pinelands preserve in South Jersey to sprawling state parks in the suburbs, readers shared the places they return to again and again. Some sent photos, trail links, and detailed notes about what makes their go-to hike worth the drive.